15 day guided tour

2019 tour dates: 27 May to 10 June

2020 tour dates: 18 June to 2 July

Combining the very best of the deep south music cities of Nashville, Memphis & New Orleans with the stunning scenery of the Smoky Mountains this will be a tour to live long in your memory. Approx. 2000 miles.

For anyone wishing to explore the “Deep South” of the eastern USA, this tour is a must. We will visit the States of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama, the world renowned venues of Gracelands and Beal Street (Memphis), Bourbon Street and the French Quarter (New Orleans) and the home of Country Music (Nashville), and we will ride some of the most scenic routes of The Great Smoky Mountains, The Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Natchez Trace, Deals Gap, levee’s of the Mississippi and the Gulf Coast.

Day 1 Arrive New Orleans Relax and enjoy an evening of music on Bourbon Street.

Day 2Free day to explore New Orleans and the mighty Mississippi. Bourbon Street and the French Quarter are the places to go! You may also wish to take a VIP tour, a steam boat ride on the Mississippi or see the alligators on the Swamp Tour. You will pick up your bike in the afternoon.

Day 3 New Orleans to Mobile

With jazz and blues still rolling around your head we leave New Orleans via the Toll Causeway over the huge Lake Pontchartrain. Once over we then continue east, out of Louisiana, back into Mississippi and along the Gulf Coast into Alabama. After riding along the beach lined shores of the Gulf we will ride into the busy town of Mobile for our overnight at the beautiful Rennaissance Hotel in downtown. Approx. 172 miles.

Day 4 Mobile to Montgomery

Sweet home Alabama provides the backdrop for our ride today. The State of Alabama is steeped in American folklore and history. We will be spending our overnight in Downtown Montgomery the State Capital of Alabama. Approx. 196 miles.

Day 5 Montgomery to Marietta

Ride through the scenic Eastern regions of Alabama and onwards into Georgia for our overnight stop in Marietta, Atlanta. Visit the Square for specialty and antique shops, dining and entertainment. Approx. 199 miles.

Day 6Marietta to Gatlinburg

Today we head into the Great Smoky Mountains and to the historical town of Gatlinburg, which has many shops, galleries and is home to over 100 artisan craft outlets. Along the route we will pass through the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Cherokee Indian Reservation and we will ride the Newfoundland Gap Road through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Gatlinburg. During the day we will have taken in the three states of Georgia, North Carolina and finally Tennessee. Approx. 231 miles.

Day 7 Free Day

Explore Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains National Park. Perhaps you will visit Dollywood.

Day 8 Gatlinburg to Chatanooga

A spectacular day of scenic riding lies ahead. We start the day on the Little River Road through the edge of the Smoky Mountain National Park, Foothills Parkway, Deals Gap and The Tail of The Dragon (318 turns in 11 miles) and the stunning Cherohala Skyway through the Nantahala National forest. Overnight in Chatanooga (yes, of Choo Choo fame). Approx. 226 miles.

Day 9 Chatanooga to Nashville

Today we set off for the country music capital, Nashville, Tennesse. Along the way we will take in the scenic roads, south of Nashville and will visit the World famous Jack Daniels Distilleryin Lynchburg. Approx. 178 miles.

Day 10Free day to explore Nashville, Tennessee, a.k.a. Music City, is full of cool venues that showcase hot, live music across multiple genres, not just country.

Day 11 Nashville to Memphis

Today we head for Memphis, the hometown of Elvis Presley and the famous Blues of Beale Street. Taking in a large section of the Natchez Trace Parkway. We stay 2 nights re at the Gracelands Guesthouse in the grounds of Elvis Presley’s home. Spend the evening in and around Beale Street and enjoy the live music. Approx. 268 miles.

Day 12Free day

To visit Gracelands and the city of Memphis. You can also visit Sun Studios, where Elvis began his music career, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music or the Cotton Museum to learn about the history of the cotton industry in Memphis, and see how slave labour and sharecropping propelled it to become the backbone of the local economy. And you get to have a second night on Beale Street!

Day 13 Memphis to Vicksburg

Old Man River (Mississippi) is our partner for the day. We follow the levees of this mighty river through the towns of Greenville and ultimately to our overnight stay in the riverside city of Vicksburg . We stop off at the famous blues crossroads. Approx. 247 miles.

Day 14 Vicksburg to New Orleans

Heading south we once again join up with The Natchez Trace Parkway before heading off through the Homochitto National Forest and into Louisiana to the home of Jazz, New Orleans. We drop off our bikes and enjoy a final night in New Orlean’s French Quarter. Approx. 261 miles.

Day 15 Fly home, or we can arrange for additional nights for you to explore New Orleans for a while longer.

Flights not included. Direct flights from Heathrow to New Orleans are now available on Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat

In the case of major Exchange Rate fluctuations, we reserve the right to alter prices and issue a currency surcharge/refund if necessary.

A deposit of £300 per bike is required if you reserve your place more than 24 weeks before the tour starts. 50% of the tour price is to be paid 24 weeks before the tour starts and the balance is paid 12 weeks before the music and mountains guided motorcycle tours USA starts.

We hold a pre-tour meeting around 6 – 8 weeks before departure where we give a detailed talk on what to expect on your guided tour, information on riding in the USA, what to wear and bring, and we provide you with an information pack. The meeting also give you the opportunity to ask questions, meet fellow riders, and revs up your excitement for the tour!

Please note that HVT reserve the right to route the Music & Mountains tour to suit weather conditions or other issues that may affect the chosen route. All mileages are approximate.